Phenolic compound profiling and antioxidant potential of different types of Schisandra henryi in vitro cultures.

Schisandra henryi is an endemic species of medicinal potential known from traditional Chinese medicine. As part of this study, a complex biotechnological and phytochemical assessment was conducted on S. henryi with a focus on phenolic compounds and antioxidant profiling. The following in vitro cultures were tested: microshoot agar and callus, microshoot agitated, and suspension, along with the microshoot culture in PlantForm bioreactors. Qualitative profiling was performed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array detector coupled with ion-trap mass spectrophotometry with electrospray ionization and then quantitative analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector using standards. In the extracts, mainly the compounds from procyanidins were identified as well as phenolic acids (neochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid) and catechin. The highest content of phenolic compounds was found for in vitro agar microshoot culture (max. total content 229.87 mg/100 g DW) and agitated culture (max. total content 22.82 mg/100 g DW). The max. TPC measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay was equal to 1240.51 mg GAE/100 g DW (agar microshoot culture). The extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant potential by the DPPH, FRAP, and chelate iron ion assays. The highest potential was indicated for agar microshoot culture (90% of inhibition and 59.31 nM/L TEAC, respectively). The research conducted on the polyphenol profiling and antioxidant potential of S. henryi in vitro culture extracts indicates the high therapeutic potential of this species. KEY POINTS: • Different types of S. henryi in vitro cultures were compared for the first time. • The S. henryi in vitro culture strong antioxidant potential was determined for the first time. • The polyphenol profiling of different types of S. henryi in vitro cultures was shown.

Comparative Assessment of Lignan Profiling and Biological Activities of Schisandra henryi Leaf and In Vitro PlantForm Bioreactor-Grown Culture Extracts.

This research's scope encompassed biotechnological, phytochemical, and biological studies of Schisandra henryi, including investigations into its in vitro microshoot culture grown in PlantForm bioreactors (temporary immersion systems, TISs), as well as extracts from leaves of the parent plant, focusing on anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities. The phytochemical analysis included the isolation and quantification of 17 compounds from dibenzocyclooctadiene, aryltetralin lignans, and neolignans using centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC), HPLC-DAD, and UHPLC-MS/MS tandem mass spectrometry with triple quadrupole mass filter methods. Higher contents of compounds were found in microshoots extracts (max. 543.99 mg/100 g DW). The major compound was schisantherin B both in the extracts from microshoots and the leaves (390.16 and 361.24 mg/100 g DW, respectively). The results of the anti-inflammatory activity in terms of the inhibition of COX-1, COX-2, sPLA2, and LOX-15 enzymes indicated that PlantForm microshoot extracts showed strong activity against COX-1 and COX-2 (for 177 mg/mL the inhibition percentage was 76% and 66%, respectively). The antioxidant potential assessed using FRAP, CUPRAC, and DPPH assays showed that extracts from microshoot cultures had 5.6, 3.8, and 3.3 times higher power compared to extracts from the leaves of the parent plant, respectively. The total polyphenol content (TPC) was 4.1 times higher in extracts from the in vitro culture compared to the leaves. The antiproliferative activity against T-cell lymphoblast line Jurkat, breast adenocarcinoma cultures (MCF-7), colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29), and cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa), showed that both extracts have considerable effects on the tested cell lines. The antimicrobial activity tested against strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi showed the highest activity towards H. pylori (MIC and MBC 0.625 mg/mL).

Comprehensive review of dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from the Schisandra genus: anticancer potential, mechanistic insights and future prospects in oncology.

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. The search for novel and effective anticancer agents has been a significant area of research. Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans (DBCLS), derived from the Schisandra genus plants like: S. chinensis, S. sphenanthera, S. henryi, S. rubriflora, S. grandiflora, S. propinqua, and S. glabra, have been traditionally used in various medicinal systems and are known for their myriad health benefits, including anticancer properties. This comprehensive review aimed to collate and critically analyse the recent literature on the anticancer properties of DBCLS, focusing on their mechanistic approaches against different cancer types. An exhaustive literature search was performed using databases like PubMed/MedLine, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, TRIP database and Google Scholar from 1980 to 2023. Peer-reviewed articles that elucidated the mechanistic approach of these lignans on cancer cell lines, in vivo models and preliminary clinical studies were included. Studies were assessed for their experimental designs, cancer types studied, and the mechanistic insights provided. The studies demonstrate that the anticancer effects of DBCLS compounds are primarily driven by their ability to trigger apoptosis, arrest the cell cycle, induce oxidative stress, modulate autophagy, and disrupt essential signaling pathways, notably MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and NF-κB. Additionally, these lignans have been shown to amplify the impact of traditional chemotherapy treatments, suggesting their potential role as supportive adjuncts in cancer therapy. Notably, several studies also emphasise their capacity to target cancer stem cells and mitigate multi-drug resistance specifically. DBCLS from the Schisandra genus have showcased significant potential as anticancer agents. Their multi-targeted mechanistic approach makes them promising candidates for further research, potentially leading to developing of new therapeutic strategies in cancer management.

Chromatographic and Biological Screening of Chosen Species of Schisandraceae Family: Schisandra chinensis, S. rubriflora, S. sphenanthera, S. henryi and Kadsura japonica.

HPLC and TLC profiling was carried out for leaf and fruit extracts of five Schisandraceae species: Schisandra chinensis, S. rubriflora, S. spehenanthera, S. henryi and Kadsura japonica. HPLC measurements confirmed presence of lignans and phenolic compounds in fruits and leaves of all tested species. The most abundant in lignans was S. chinensis fruit extract in which 15 compounds were detected (e. g.: schisandrol A, schisanhenol, γ-schisandrin, gomisin N). The effect-directed detection, i. e., TLC-direct bioautography against Bacillus subtilis, showed exceptionally high activity for S. chinensis and S. rubriflora fruit extracts. On the other hand, TLC-DB enzyme tests (α-glucosidase, lipase, tyrosinase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition assays) showed that all fruit and leaf extracts have ability to inhibit the above-mentioned enzymes (except for the K. japonica fruit). The leaf extracts showed much stronger antioxidant activity than the fruit ones, which were assessed and compared using both TLC-direct bioautography and spectrophotometric measurements based on ABTS, DPPH and FRAP tests.

Schisandra henryi-A Rare Species with High Medicinal Potential.

Schisandra henryi (Schisandraceae) is a plant species endemic to Yunnan Province in China and is little known in Europe and America. To date, few studies, mainly performed by Chinese researchers, have been conducted on S. henryi. The chemical composition of this plant is dominated by lignans (dibenzocyclooctadiene, aryltetralin, dibenzylbutane), polyphenols (phenolic acids, flavonoids), triterpenoids, and nortriterpenoids. The research on the chemical profile of S. henryi showed a similar chemical composition to S. chinensis-a globally known pharmacopoeial species with valuable medicinal properties whichis the best-known species of the genus Schisandra. The whole genus is characterized by the presence of the aforementioned specific dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, known as "Schisandra lignans". This paper was intended to provide a comprehensive review of the scientific literature published on the research conducted on S. henryi, with particular emphasis on the chemical composition and biological properties. Recently, a phytochemical, biological, and biotechnological study conducted by our team highlighted the great potential of S. henryi in in vitro cultures. The biotechnological research revealed the possibilities of the use of biomass from S. henryi as an alternative to raw material that cannot be easily obtained from natural sites. Moreover, the characterization of dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans specific to the Schisandraceae family was provided. Except for several scientific studies which have confirmed the most valuable pharmacological properties of these lignans, hepatoprotective and hepatoregenerative, this article also reviews studies that have confirmed the anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anticancer, antiviral, antioxidant, cardioprotective, and anti-osteoporotic effects and their application for treating intestinal dysfunction.

Chitosan-Based Nanoparticles as Effective Drug Delivery Systems-A review.

Chitosan-based nanoparticles (chitosan-based nanocomposites; chitosan nanoparticles; ChNPs) are promising materials that are receiving a lot of attention in the last decades. ChNPs have great potential as nanocarriers. They are able to encapsulate drugs as well as active compounds and deliver them to a specific place in the body providing a controlled release. In the article, an overview has been made of the most frequently used preparation methods, and the developed applications in medicine. The presentation of the most important information concerning ChNPs, especially chitosan's properties in drug delivery systems (DDS), as well as the method of NPs production was quoted. Additionally, the specification and classification of the NPs' morphological features determined their application together with the methods of attaching drugs to NPs. The latest scientific reports of the DDS using ChNPs administered orally, through the eye, on the skin and transdermally were taken into account.

Podophyllotoxin and its derivatives: Potential anticancer agents of natural origin in cancer chemotherapy.

The use of plant secondary metabolites has gained considerable attention among clinicians in the prevention and treatment of cancer. A secondary metabolite isolated mainly from the roots and rhizomes of Podophyllum species (Berberidaceae) is aryltetralin lignan - podophyllotoxin (PTOX). The purpose of this review is to discuss the therapeutic properties of PTOX as an important anticancer compound of natural origin. The relevant information regarding the antitumor mechanisms of podophyllotoxin and its derivatives were collected and analyzed from scientific databases. The results of the analysis showed PTOX exhibits potent cytotoxic activity; however, it cannot be used in its pure form due to its toxicity and generation of many side effects. Therefore, it practically remains clinically unusable. Currently, high effort is focused on attempts to synthesize analogs of PTOX that have better properties for therapeutic use e.g. etoposide (VP-16), teniposide, etopophos. PTOX derivatives are used as anticancer drugs which are showing additional immunosuppressive, antiviral, antioxidant, hypolipemic, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this review, attention is paid to the high potential of the usefulness of in vitro cultures of P. peltatum which can be a valuable source of lignans, including PTOX. In conclusion, the preclinical pharmacological studies in vitro and in vivo confirm the anticancer and chemotherapeutic potential of PTOX and its derivatives. In the future, clinical studies on human subjects are needed to certify the antitumor effects and the anticancer mechanisms to be certified and analyzed in more detail and to validate the experimental pharmacological preclinical studies.

Bioaccumulation Capacity of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Tested with Heavy Metals in Biofortification.

On a worldwide scale, A. cepa is among the most commonly consumed vegetables. In Europe, the leading onion producers are Russia, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland and Germany. In this study, the bioaccumulation of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Fe, Mn, Co, Sr, Cd and Pb) by Allium cepa L. plants was followed under hydroponic conditions. The heavy metals were applied at six concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg L-1) over three weeks. The quantitative analysis of selected heavy metals in plant tissues (bulbs, roots and assimilation leaves) was performed using atomic absorption spectrometry with flame atomization (F-AAS). The accumulation of metal ions was strongly dependent on their concentrations in the solution and the analyzed parts of plants. The highest accumulation of metal ions was confirmed for the roots and ranged from 8.48 to 5912.34 µg g-1 DW (dry weight). All parts of A. cepa were characterized by the high accumulation of Mn2+. The lowest accumulation was confirmed for Co2+ in the roots, Pb2+ in the assimilation leaves and Cu2+ in the bulbs of onion. Moreover, the study showed that the highest concentrations of heavy metals decreased the growth of bulbs and even caused them to die off. In contrast, lower concentrations of some elements stimulated plant development.

Stimulation of Lignan Production in Schisandra rubriflora In Vitro Cultures by Elicitation.

The study investigated the effect of elicitation with: chitosan (CH) (200 mg/L), yeast extract (YeE) (3000 mg/L), ethephon (ETH) (25 µM/L), and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) (50 µM/L), on lignan accumulation in agitated and bioreactor (Plantform temporary immersion systems) microshoot cultures of female (F) and male (M) Schisandra rubriflora Rehd. et Wils. (Schisandraceae) lines. The elicitors were supplemented on the 10th day of culture. Biomasses were collected at 24 h and 48 h, and 4, 6, and 8 days after the addition of each elicitor. The 24 compounds from the dibenzocyclooctadiene, aryltetralin, dibenzylbutane, and tetrahydrofuran lignans and neolignans were determined qualitatively and quantitatively in biomass extracts using the UHPLC-MS/MS method. The highest total contents [mg/100 g DW] of lignans were: for CH-95.00 (F, day 6) and 323.30 (M, 48 h); for YeE 104.30 (F, day 8) and 353.17 (M, day 4); for ETH 124.50 (F, 48 h) and 334.90 (M, day 4); and for MeJA 89.70 (F, 48 h) and 368.50 (M, 24 h). In the biomass extracts of M cultures grown in bioreactors, the highest total lignan content was obtained after MeJA elicitation (153.20 mg/100 g DW). The maximum total lignan contents in the biomass extracts from agitated and bioreactor cultures were 3.29 and 1.13 times higher, respectively, than in the extracts from the non-elicited cultures. The poor understanding of the chemical composition and the lack of studies in the field of plant biotechnology of S. rubriflora emphasize the innovativeness of the research.

Illicium verum (Star Anise) and Trans-Anethole as Valuable Raw Materials for Medicinal and Cosmetic Applications.

Illicium verum Hook f. (star anise) is considered an important species in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is also used in contemporary medicine in East Asian countries. It occurs in natural habitats in southeastern parts of China and Vietnam, and is cultivated in various regions in China. The raw materials-Anisi stellati fructus and Anisi stellati aetheroleum obtained from this species exhibit expectorant and spasmolytic activities. The European Pharmacopoeia (4th edition) indicates that these raw materials have been used in allopathy since 2002. The biological activities of the above-mentioned raw materials are determined by the presence of valuable secondary metabolites such as monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and flavonoids. Recent pharmacological studies on fruit extracts and the essential oil of this species have confirmed their antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities and thus their medicinal and cosmetic value. The aim of this review was to examine the progress of phytochemical and pharmacological studies that focused on possible cosmetic applications. In addition to fruit extracts and essential oil, the current consensus on the safety of trans-anethole, which is the main compound of essential oil used in cosmetology, is underlined here.

Effect of Elicitation with (+)-Usnic Acid on Accumulation of Phenolic Acids and Flavonoids in Agitated Microshoots of Eryngium alpinum L.

The present work was aimed at studying the potential of elicitation on the accumulation of phenolic compounds in in vitro shoot cultures of Eryngium alpinum L., a protected plant from the Apiaceae family. The study examined the influence of (+)-usnic acid on the biomass growth as well as on the biosynthesis of the desired flavonoids and phenolic acids in the cultured microshoots. The phenolic compound content was determined by HPLC-DAD. The flavonoid of the highest concentration was isoquercetin, and the phenolic acids of the highest amount were rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, both in the non-elicited and elicited biomass. Isoquercetin accumulation was efficiently increased by a longer elicitation with a lower concentration of lichenic compound (107.17 ± 4.67 mg/100 g DW) or a shorter elicitation with a higher concentration of acid (127.54 ± 11.34 and 108.37 ± 12.1 mg/100 g DW). Rosmarinic acid production generally remained high in all elicited and non-elicited microshoots. The highest content of this acid was recorded at 24 h of elicitation with 3.125 µM usnic acid (512.69 ± 4.89 mg/100 g DW). The process of elicitation with (+)-usnic acid, a well-known lichenic compound with allelopathic nature, may therefore be an effective technique of enhancing phenolic compound accumulation in alpine eryngo microshoot biomass.

Chitosan nanoparticles as a promising tool in nanomedicine with particular emphasis on oncological treatment.

The study describes the current state of knowledge on nanotechnology and its utilization in medicine. The focus in this manuscript was on the properties, usage safety, and potentially valuable applications of chitosan-based nanomaterials. Chitosan nanoparticles have high importance in nanomedicine, biomedical engineering, discovery and development of new drugs. The manuscript reviewed the new studies regarding the use of chitosan-based nanoparticles for creating new release systems with improved bioavailability, increased specificity and sensitivity, and reduced pharmacological toxicity of drugs. Nowadays, effective cancer treatment is a global problem, and recent advances in nanomedicine are of great importance. Special attention was put on the application of chitosan nanoparticles in developing new system for anticancer drug delivery. Pre-clinical and clinical studies support the use of chitosan-based nanoparticles in nanomedicine. This manuscript overviews the last progresses regarding the utilization, stability, and bioavailability of drug nanoencapsulation with chitosan and their safety.

Characteristics of bakuchiol - the compound with high biological activity and the main source of its acquisition - Cullen corylifolium (L.) Medik.

The article presents the characteristics of bakuchiol - a natural compound valuable in cosmetology and pharmacology. The only source for obtaining this specific meroterpenic phenol is the fruit of the species Cullen corylifolium (Psoralea corylifolia). Bakuchiol has recently been playing a significant role in cosmetology as a "natural substitute" for retinol, free of side effects.Clinical studies confirm valuable cosmetological properties of bakuchiol, such as anti-ageing, anti-pigmentation and anti-acne effects. Scientific research has also shown valuable pharmacological properties of bakuchiol, such as anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, hypoglycemic, hypolipemic, and antidepressant. In addition, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobal activities of bakuchiol, valuable from the point of view of both cosmetology and therapy, have also been confirmed.A separate part of the article is devoted to the botanical, chemical and pharmacological characteristics of the species C. corylifolium as the main source for obtaining bakuchiol.

Schisandra rubriflora Plant Material and In Vitro Microshoot Cultures as Rich Sources of Natural Phenolic Antioxidants.

Schisandra rubriflora is a dioecious, underestimated medicinal plant species known from traditional Chinese medicine. The present study was aimed at characterising the polyphenolic profile composition and the related antioxidant capacity of S. rubriflora fruit, stem and leaf and in vitro microshoot culture extracts. Separate analyses of material from female and male specimens were carried out. This study was specifically aimed at detailed characterisation of the contribution of phenolic compounds to overall antioxidant activity using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array detector coupled to electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS3) and a high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Using UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS3, twenty-seven phenolic compounds from among phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified. Concentrations of three phenolic acids (neochlorogenic, chlorogenic and cryptochlorogenic acids) and eight flavonoids (hyperoside, rutoside, isoquercitrin, guaijaverin, trifolin, quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin) were determined using HPLC-DAD using reference standards. The highest total phenolic content was confirmed for the stem and leaf extracts collected in spring. The contents of phenolic compounds of in vitro biomasses were comparable to that in the fruit extracts. The methanolic extracts from the studied plant materials were evaluated for their antioxidant properties using various in vitro assays, namely free radicals scavenging estimation using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and cupric-reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) as well as QUick, Easy, New, CHEap, and Reproducible CUPRAC (QUENCHER-CUPRAC) assays. A close relationship between the content of polyphenolic compounds in S. rubriflora and their antioxidant potential has been documented.

Mammillaria Species-Polyphenols Studies and Anti-Cancer, Anti-Oxidant, and Anti-Bacterial Activities.

Discovering new natural resources of polyphenols is the aim of many recent studies in the field of natural product research. This study tentatively investigated the polyphenols profile of the stems of seven Mammillaria species (M. rhodantha, M. spinosissima, M. hahniana, M. crucigera, M. candida, M. albilanata, and M. muehlenpfordtii) using high performance liquid chromatography with DAD detector (HPLC-DAD) method. Furthermore, the anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, and anti-bacterial potentials of these extracts as well as major identified phenols were explored. The HPLC-DAD study confirmed the availability of six phenolic acids, including gentisic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid, sinapic acid, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid. The dominant compounds were: gentisic acid in M. rhodantha and M. spinosissima; chlorogenic acid in M. muehlenpfordtii, M. crucigera, and M. rhodantha; and caffeic acid in M. rhodantha, M. crucigera, and M. spinosissima. Stems of Mammillaria sp. showed antiproliferative effects against HeLa, MCF-7, and Jurkat cells. In HeLa and MCF-7 cells, the best antiproliferative activities were found in the treatments with M. rhodantha, M. spinosissima, and M. muehlenpfordtii. The apoptotic assay of M. rhodantha, M. spinosissima, and M. muehlenpfordtii showed accumulation of necrotic cells in the early and late apoptotic phase. M. rhodantha, M. spinosissima, and M. muehlenpfordtii showed the highest anti-oxidant activities using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ß-carotene bleaching, and ferric reducing anti-oxidant power (FRAP) assays. M. rhodantha was the best source of antioxidants. Mammillaria sp. showed moderate anti-bacterial effects against bacteria and the highest effects were found using the extracts of M. rhodantha, M. spinosissima, M. crucigera and M. muehlenpfordtii against most bacteria. The anti-bacterial activities were attributed to other phenolic compounds (e.g., chlorogenic acid) than gentisic acid, which was not active against most bacteria. Mammillaria sp. could be considered to be an important natural source of phenolic acids with anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, and anti-oxidant activities.